Caught Testing: 2012 Tesla Model S - Spy Shots

Tesla's electric sedan doesn't shock with its design.

Judging from these spy photos, Tesla's long awaited Model S sedan finally appears to be nearing production. We've known the name and base price of Tesla's long-awaited electric sedan for quite awhile now. The Model S will start at $57,000 and be powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. Range should vary from 150 to 300 miles, depending on the model specified.

However, it remained a mystery as to when customers would finally be able to plug a Model S into their home outlet. The 7-seat sedan (the car has two rear-facing seats in back) has had a long and protracted development, especially as Tesla worked to secure additional funding. While Tesla has said it has more than 4000 orders for the Model S, even the most patient early-adopter might be casting an eye at the Nissan Leaf EV or Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, two models already on sale.

Judging from these spy photos, the Model S looks like it could be on sale soon. Our spy photographers snapped images of what appears to be a nearly production-ready Model S being flat-bedded to a testing site in Michigan.

If you were expecting wildly futuristic looks, well, you might be disappointed. There are strong hints of Mazda and Jaguar in the exterior design of the Model S –a more original shape would have set the car apart from these more mainstream automakers. As it is, the shape is clean and modern looking. The grille is now almost totally closed off, possibly for aerodynamic reasons and to help boost driving range.

There is now a pair of air intakes located at each corner of the front bumper. The taillights also have clear coverings, opposed to the red ones seen on previous Model S prototypes. The rest of the car appears fairly similar to what we've seen previously. Expect the official debut of the Model S later this year, during the 2011 LA Auto Show, or early in 2012 at the Detroit Auto Show.